Ann Arbor businessman Shri Thanedar to announce run for governor

Shri Thanedar grew up poor in southern India and came to the U.S. when he was 24 to pursue a doctorate degree in Ohio. When he was offered a job as a research scientist at University of Michigan, the only snag was how to get his jalopy to Ann Arbor.

Now 62, the businessman will announce Thursday his run for governor as a Democrat, building his message around giving people a chance at what he found when he came to this country.

"I achieved my American dream," Thanedar said. "The rest of my life is not about adding more to my net worth. If I can help people achieve their American dream, I feel I would fulfill my calling."

He is among a growing group of people who have announced they are running for the state's top office. Notable bids include Gretchen Whitmer and Abdul El-Sayed. Among those expected to run on the Republican side are Attorney General Bill Schuette and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. Others who have at mentioned they are considering a run include attorney Mark Bernstein, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and trial attorney Geoffrey Fieger.

Gov. Rick Snyder cannot run again due to term limits.

Thanedar plans to roll out his candidacy at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at TechTown Detroit, which he calls a fitting arrangement for laying out his vision for a state that emphasizes small business and entrepreneurship.

"I want to create a culture of small business and make sure children don't have to leave the state to pursue goals and dreams."

Also high on his list is reforming public education, retraining workers and dispersing wealth.

"The government has responsibility to build Michigan," he said. "We don't want people living like they are in third-world countries."

Earlier this year, the Ann Arbor businessman – named Ernst and Young's 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year — retired, for the second time. In 1990, he purchased Chemir Analytical Services and grew the company's revenue from $150,000 annually to $14 million.

In 2010 he opened Ann Arbor-based Avomeen Analytical Services LLC. He recently sold majority ownership to a private equity firm in Chicago, he said, and is no longer involved in day-to-day operations, although he still has a 40 percent stake in the company.

Despite his business success, Thanedar said he would not run the state like a company because, as the current administration has demonstrated, it does not work.

"Running the state is a service to people — solving issues and making life better," he said. "Business is focused on the bottom line. I have a unique combination of business ability, and at the same time I know how people struggle."

Thanedar said he has no major donors. He is starting a statewide fundraiser online and will raise funds through small events around the state. He said he is trying to collect as much as possible and will supplement the rest out of his own pocket.